Flexible container

ABSTRACT

A flexible container including two webs sealed with respect to each other to form a void between the webs. A first web forms an opening within a closure area. The opening is positioned along a fold line that passes through the closure area. With the flexible container in an unfolded condition, a layer of adhesive is applied to the first web within said closure area. The webs form two notched areas each at or near one of two opposing outer edges of the flexible container. The fold line intersects with the notched areas. With the flexible container in a folded condition, a portion of each web is folded with respect to the opening and a first portion of the adhesive layer on a first side of the opening forms an adhesive-to-adhesive contact with a second portion of the adhesive layer on an opposing second side of the opening.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a flexible container, particularly a flexiblecontainer that can withstand high sustained internal pressures andextreme temperature conditions, making it suitable for containing andtransporting toxic and other hazardous materials both by ground and byhigh-altitude aircraft.

2. Description of Related Art

Under new Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) testing criteria, in theUnited States, a container must be able to withstand a sustainedinternal pressure of about 14 psi for at least about 30 minutes in orderto be suitable for transporting toxic and other hazardous materials,using air transportation. For example, if an airplane traveling at anelevation of about 42,000 feet is depressurized, the container mustwithstand a net effect of an internal pressure of about 14 psi in orderto remain sealed. Many conventional containers, particularly flexiblecontainers, cannot withstand such high internal pressure. As a result, aconventional flexible container leaks through a closure which sealablycloses a container opening, breaks at a weak peripheral seal or deformsor expands at a region and develops an opening, whereby the materialscontained within the container leak from the container.

For example, it is very difficult to provide a flexible container thatcan withstand high internal pressures and maintain a leak-proof closure.To withstand high internal pressures, conventional flexible containersare constructed of relatively thick materials that require a longersealing dwell time to effect a peripheral seal that allows the internalpressure to approach a limit or maximum strength of the containermaterial. With heavier materials it becomes increasingly difficult toprovide a leak-proof container closure.

Thus, leaks develop at a weak portion of the closure or seal joining thematerials, particularly when the flexible container is subjected to ahigh internal pressure. Further, when the thick materials are folded toform a seal about an opening in the container, the walls of thecontainer near the opening do not sufficiently contact each other toform a leak-proof seal. The materials forming the walls of the containerhave a shape memory or bias force which urges the materials from asealed position to an initial flat position.

Conventional flexible containers may not be able to withstand extremetemperatures, particularly as they occur at or near endpoints of a rangefrom about −40° F. to about 130° F., and particularly over a prolongedtime period, for example at least about 2 hours.

There is an apparent need for a flexible container which is suitable forshipping or transporting hazardous materials by air.

There is also an apparent need for a flexible container which canwithstand a high sustained internal pressure, for example when subjectedto decompression pressure effects at high altitudes, and/or where thematerials and closure structure can withstand a temperature operatingrange of about −40° F. to about 130° F., particularly over a prolongedtime period.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide a flexible container thatcan withstand a high sustained internal pressure and that provides aleak-proof closure during extreme temperatures, particularly over aprolonged time period.

It is another object of this invention to provide a flexible containerthat can withstand a sustained internal pressure of about 14 psi for atleast about 30 minutes in order to be suitable for transporting toxic orother hazardous materials using air transportation, such as an airplane.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a flexiblecontainer able to withstand extreme temperatures ranging from about −40°F. to about 130° F., over a prolonged period of time.

The new FAA testing criteria require that a container for transportinghazardous materials must be able to withstand a sustained internalpressure of about 14 psi and a temperature operating range of −40° F. to130° F. for a prolonged period of time.

The above and other objects of this invention are accomplished with aflexible container having at least two webs sealed with respect to eachother about a periphery of the flexible container, to form a voidbetween the webs. Preferably, each web has at least two layers, whereina first layer is coextensive with a second layer. The first layer andthe second layer of each web may comprise any suitable material. Forexample, at least one web may include a first layer of a polyester ornylon material and a second layer of a polyethylene material or othersuitable polymer material. Suitable materials for forming the web layersare known to those skilled in the art of flexible bag construction andmanufacturing.

The first web has a closure area and forms an opening within the closurearea. The opening can be positioned along and/or form at least part of afold line passing through the closure area. An adhesive layer can beapplied to or positioned on the first web before or after the opening isformed in the first web, in order to maximize efficiency and/or minimizetime and expense associated with the manufacturing process used to makethe flexible container. For example, the adhesive layer may be appliedto the first web within the closure area, and then the opening can beformed through the adhesive layer and the first web, resulting inadhesive applied to the first web at, adjacent, near, next to and/or inthe proximity of two opposing sides of the opening. Preferably, theopening is completely surrounded by the adhesive layer, such thatadhesive is applied to the first web at, adjacent, near, next to and/orin the proximity of the opposing sides of the opening and at, adjacent,near, next to and/or in the proximity of the opposing end portions ofthe opening.

Alternatively, the opening may be formed before the adhesive layer isapplied to the first web. Such a manufacturing process similarly resultsin adhesive applied at, adjacent, near, next to and/or in the proximityof the opposing sides of the opening and/or the opening end portions.

With the flexible container in an unfolded condition, the adhesive layeris applied to the first web and is positioned at, adjacent, near, nextto and/or in the proximity of the opposing sides of the opening andwithin the closure area. With the flexible container in a foldedcondition, a first portion of the adhesive layer on a first side of theopening forms an adhesive-to-adhesive contact with a second portion ofthe adhesive layer on an opposing second side of the opening.

In one preferred embodiment of this invention, two opposing notchedareas are formed by, in and/or through the first web and the second web.Each notched area is positioned at or near one of two opposing outeredges of the flexible container, and the fold line intersects with eachnotched area. Each notched area can extend at least partially between arespective outer edge of the flexible container and a corresponding endportion of the opening. The webs are sealed with respect to each other,such as with a heat seal, and each notched area extends from arespective outer edge of the flexible container into the heat seal.

In one preferred embodiment of this invention, the adhesive layer ispositioned within at least a portion of at least one of the notchedareas, and preferably extends to a corresponding or respective outeredge of the flexible container. An exposed portion of the adhesive layerthat is positioned within the notched area is removable from theadhesive layer. Preferably, but not necessarily, a material, such as aweb material preferably the same or similar to the first web and/or thesecond web, a paper material and/or a powder material, covers at least aportion or side of the exposed portion of the adhesive layer that ispositioned within the notched area.

In one preferred embodiment of this invention, the flexible containerincludes a third web sealed with respect to the second web to form asecond void between the third web and the second web. The third web mayform an opening extending or positioned between opposing outer edges ofthe flexible container and may provide access to the second void.Materials including information regarding the material contained withinthe flexible container, such as documents or papers including adescription of the contained material, an instruction sheet, a labeland/or any other suitable document or paper, can be positioned withinthe second void and preferably visible or viewable through the third webmaterial.

The third web can extend across the first web and/or the second web, toadd structural strength to the flexible container formed by the firstand second webs. For example, the third web can act as a girdle or astructural restraint to restrict or restrain expansion of the flexiblecontainer, particularly in a middle portion, when the flexible containerhas a positive pressure within the first void or the holding compartmentformed by the first void.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art from the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the appended claims and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings show different features of a flexible container, accordingto preferred embodiments of this invention, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan front view of a flexible container in a flat orunfolded condition, according to one preferred embodiment of thisinvention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of a flexible container alongsectional line A-A as shown in FIG. 1, according to one preferredembodiment of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a flexible container,according to one preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a flexible container,according to one preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a flexible container,according to one preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a flexible container,according to one preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a flexible container,wherein each side of the flexible container has two webs, according toanother preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a flexible container,wherein each side of the flexible container has two webs, according toanother preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a flexible container,wherein each side of the flexible container has one web, showing aportion of the flexible container in a folded position;

FIG. 10 is a plan front view of a flexible container in a flat orunfolded condition, according to one preferred embodiment of thisinvention;

FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a flexible container,showing a portion of the flexible container in a folded position;

FIG. 12 is a plan front view of a flexible container in a flat orunfolded condition, according to one preferred embodiment of thisinvention; and

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional side view of a flexible container alongsectional line B-B as shown in FIG. 12, according to one preferredembodiment of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIGS. 1-6, in one preferred embodiment of this invention, aflexible container 10 comprises a first web of material 20 and a secondweb of material 40, one on each side of flexible container 10, sealedwith respect to each other to form a void 28 between webs 20, 40. FIGS.7 and 8 show other embodiments of flexible container 10 having fourtotal webs: a primary first web 20 and a secondary first web 20 on oneside of flexible container 10; and a primary second web 40 and asecondary second web 40 on the other side of flexible container 10.Also, any side of flexible container 10 can have more than two webs 20,40.

The term “flexible” refers to the ability of flexible container 10 tobend, stretch, expand or contract, for example, without permanentdeformation or failure, to adapt to changing environments, for example achange in pressure or change in temperature. It is apparent thatflexible container 10 and/or void 28 formed between webs 20, 40 can haveany suitable shape and/or dimensions which allows flexible container 10to function properly for a particular purpose. Flexible container 10 maycomprise at least one component or element similar to a correspondingcomponent or element as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,336,123 issued toLaske et al. on Aug. 9, 1994, the disclosure of which is incorporated byreference into this specification.

Throughout this specification, as discussed above, one side of flexiblecontainer 10 may include one or more first webs 20 and the opposing sideof flexible container 10 may comprise one or more second webs 40. Asdifferent elements and features are discussed throughout thisspecification, when referring to one first web 20 and/or one second web40, such discussion can be interchanged with discussion related toeither side of flexible 10 having two or more first webs 20 and/or twoor more second webs 40.

Preferably, first web 20 and second web 40 are heat sealed to form acontinuous seal 30 about a periphery of flexible container 10, as shownin FIG. 1. Any other suitable process for sealing, as known to thoseskilled in the art, can be used to form one or more continuous sealsbetween webs 20, 40. In one embodiment, seal 30 preferably has a widthof at least about 0.125 inch, and more preferably at least about 0.375inch, or larger or smaller depending upon the overall size of flexiblecontainer 10 and the material which flexible container 10 may contain.In another embodiment, seal 30 can have a variable width and/or anyother shape at any point or in any direction about the periphery of seal30. It is apparent that other suitable bonding means, for exampleadhesives and the like, may be used to form seal 30 and attach or bondwebs 20, 40. Flexible container 10 may comprise additional seals, asrequired. For example, if the side of flexible container 10 that hasopening 60 has two or more first webs 20, then a seal 31 such as shownin FIG. 1 can be used to heat seal the two or more first webs 20together, wherein seal 31 surrounds or is below opening 60, as shown inFIG. 1. In another embodiment, a seal 32 extends along at least aportion at or near a top edge and/or a bottom edge of flexible container10 to seal first web 20 to second web 40.

Preferably, each web 20, 40 has a total thickness of about 0.003 inch toabout 0.010 inch and comprises at least two layers of material that arecoextensive. The term “coextensive” as used throughout thisspecification and in the claims refers to the positioning of web 20 withrespect to web 40, wherein web 20 is aligned with web 40 such that web20 and web 40 generally have the same or similar outer boundaries, forexample boundaries forming the edges of flexible container 10. In onepreferred embodiment of this invention, first web 20 includes a first orouter layer 22 made of a polymer material, such as a polyester or nylonor other similar material, having a thickness of about 0.00025 inch toabout 0.0015 inch and a second or inner sealant layer 24 made of apolymer material having a thickness of about 0.0005 inch to about 0.006inch. First layer 22 may comprise a 0.00060 inch, for example, biaxialoriented nylon material, such as available from Clear-Lam, located inIllinois, United States. The biaxial oriented nylon material provides astrong structure due to equal or similar tensile strengths in thelongitudinal-direction and the lateral direction of the material.Preferably, second layer 24 comprises a 0.0015 inch polyethylenematerial available from Southern Films located in Florida, U.S.A., amaterial which is known as a linear low density polyethylene. Othersuitable materials known to those skilled in the art may be used to makethe first layer and/or the second layer of first web 20 and/or secondweb 40.

Similarly, second web 40 includes a first layer 42 and a second layer44. Preferably, but not necessarily, first layer 42 comprises a materialthe same or similar to first layer 22 of first web 20 and second layer44 comprises a material the same or similar to second layer 24 of firstweb 20. Alternatively, first layer 42 and second layer 44 may comprise adifferent material than first layer 22 and second layer 24,respectively. In one preferred embodiment of this invention as shown inFIG. 7, second first web 20 and first and second webs 40 each comprisesa third layer sealed with respect to layers 22, 24 and/or 42, 44,respectively. For example, a third layer 26 (not shown) made of 0.0015inch polyethylene, for example, may be sealed with respect to firstlayer 22 to sandwich or position first layer 22 between second layer 24and third layer 26.

First layers 22, 42 and second layers 24, 44, and any additional layers,may be made of any suitable compatible materials, for example polymermaterials, which when combined to form one or more of each of webs 20,40 exhibit a combined strength capable of withstanding a wide pressureand/or temperature range. The multiple layer, multiple web constructionof flexible container 10 provides a strong structure because one layersupports the other layer. Preferably, flexible container 10 is capableof withstanding a constant or sustained internal pressure of at leastabout 14 psi. The closure at closure area 62 and the correspondingmaterial of the closure can withstand temperatures of about 40° F. toabout 130° F., without deformation of and/or leakage through theclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, first web 20 forms an opening 60 at or within aclosure area 62 defined by first web 20 to provide access to void 28.Preferably, but not necessarily, opening 60 comprises a slit which ispositioned along, at or near a fold line 100, which passes throughclosure area 62, as shown in FIG. 1. Opening 60 may extend outward in adirection toward seal 30 any suitable distance. Opening 60 may stopshort of seal 30, may extend up to an inner edge of seal 30, may extendinto seal 30, may extend up to an outer edge of seal 30, and/or mayextend beyond seal 30 into a skirt 75. To whatever point opening 60extends, there should be a sufficient area of adhesive contact, eitheradhesive-to-adhesive or adhesive to web 20, to ensure a fight seal at ornear end portions 71, 73 of opening 60 to provide a leak-tight sealabout opening 60 when flexible container 10 is folded about fold line100. Further, as a distance between end portion 71 and/or 73 and seal 30decrease, a width of seal 30 and/or a width of skirt 75 defined by aportion of flexible container 10 between edges 15, 13 of flexiblecontainer 10, respectively, and an outer edge of seal 30 preferably, butnot necessarily, increases.

In one preferred embodiment of this invention, first web 20 has a secondthickness in closure area 62 which is less than the first thickness offirst web 20. For example, preferably only one of first layer 22 andsecond layer 24 extends to form a portion of opening 60. As shown inFIG. 3, first layer 22 may extend along only a portion of second layer24 and terminate at an edge 61. Second layer 24 forms at least a portionof opening 60 defined by an edge 63. Preferably, edge 61 terminates at adistance 65 from edge 63, to form a cutout area 64. Distance 65 is about0.125 inch to about 1.0 inch, preferably about 0.75 inch, or any othersuitable length. Additionally, on an opposite side of opening 60, secondlayer 24 can extend to form a portion of opening 60 along a second edgeof second layer 24 opposing edge 63 and first layer 22 can terminate adistance from the second edge of second layer 24, equal to or differentthan distance 65. In one embodiment of this invention, cutout area 64 isformed about opening 60 in one or more layers of one or more first webs20. In such embodiment cutout area 64 has a length in a longitudinaldirection of flexible container 10 of about 0.25 inch to about 2.0 inch,or any other suitable length, and a width which extends at leastpartially over an entire width of flexible container 10. If opening 60and notched areas 70 are in the same layer of any first web 20, thenopening 60 extends less than a distance between inner edges of twocorresponding notched areas 70. If opening 60 and notched area 70 iseach within a different layer of 22 or 24 of any first web 20, then atleast a portion of opening 60 can overlap with notched area 70.

An adhesive layer 68 is applied to at least a portion of first web 20 atclosure area 62 and/or cutout area 64. Any suitable adhesive known tothose skilled in the art can be used to form adhesive layer 68. Anyadhesive can be used, which provides a sufficiently strong adhesive sealto close opening 60. A cover strip 50 can be applied to or positioned onadhesive layer 68, such that adhesive layer 68 is sandwiched orpositioned between first web 20 at closure area 62 and cover strip 50.Preferably, cover strip 50 and adhesive layer 68 form a pressuresensitive tape material, as is well known in the art. The pressuresensitive material can be applied as a preformed material or can beapplied in manufacturing steps as the adhesive layer 68 and the coverstrip 50.

Referring to FIG. 4, in one embodiment of this invention, first web 20forms cutout area 64 at closure area 62. In one preferred embodiment ofthis invention, a fold layer 66 overlaps onto a portion of first web 20and is sealed to any first web 20 on one side of flexible container 10,about cutout area 64. Preferably, but not necessarily, fold layer 66 isheat sealed to first web 20 to form a continuous seal 33. Seal 33 canextend about cutout area 64 and/or can extend into seal 30. As shown inFIG. 4, fold layer 66 is sealed to an inner surface of second layer 24.Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5, fold layer 66 may be sealed to anouter surface of first layer 22. Preferably, fold layer 66 has athickness less than a thickness of first web 20, and thus a lessermagnitude of shape memory, to allow a continuous adhesive seal to formabout opening 60 when flexible container 10 is folded along fold line100. As shown in FIG. 1, fold line 100 is collinear with opening 60, butin other embodiments, fold line 100 can be above and/or below opening60. It is apparent to those skilled in the art that fold layer 66 can bebonded, adhered or otherwise attached to first web 20 using any suitablemeans which provides a leak-proof seal. Alternatively, fold layer 66 canbe integrated with first layer 22 and/or second layer 24 of first web20. Adhesive layer 68 is applied to at least a portion of an outersurface of fold layer 66 and cover strip 50 is applied to or positionedon adhesive layer 68, such that adhesive layer 68 is sandwiched orpositioned between closure area 62 of first web 20 and cover strip 50,as is shown in FIG. 4, or adhesive layer 68 is positioned between foldlayer 66 and cover strip 50, as is shown in FIG. 5.

In one preferred embodiment of this invention, at least one web 20, 40has at least one structural relief 69. As shown in FIG. 1, structuralrelief 69 is formed by notched areas 70 positioned at or near endportion 71 and/or 73 of opening 60. The term “structural relief” as usedthroughout this specification and in the claims refers to any structuralfeature or material property of any one or more layers of web 20, 40that decreases a magnitude of the shape memory or bias force of web 20,40. As discussed above, shape memory relates to a folded web 20, 40 thaturges itself back to an unfolded position or state, and is one problemassociated with conventional flexible containers, and is directlyrelated to container leakage.

In one preferred embodiment of this invention, structural relief 69comprises a notched area 70 formed in one or more layers of web 20and/or one or more layers of web 40 and extending a distance on eachside of fold line 100, as shown in FIG. 1. Notched area 70 may be formedby removing or otherwise eliminating at least one layer of first web 20and/or second web 40 at notched area 70. Preferably, first web 20 and/orsecond web 40 comprises notched area 70 at or near one or both sideedges 13, 15 of flexible container 10. As shown on the right side ofFIG. 1, notched area 70 need not extend to or have a common boundarywith an outer edge 13, 15. Notched area 70 extends at least partiallybetween outer edge 13, 15 of flexible container 10 and respective endportion 73, 71 of opening 60. Depending on the number of layers in eachweb 20, 40, notched area 70 can extend inward further than end portion71 and/or 73. Further, notched area 70 may extend through only one layeror more than one layer of first web 20 and/or second web 40, and mayextend laterally into a corresponding portion of seal 30.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, structural relief 69 may also comprise atleast one of the layers of web 20 and/or at least one of the layers ofweb 40 having a reduced thickness at fold line 100. In other preferredembodiments of this invention, structural relief 69 may comprise asecond slit formed within at least one other web 20, 40 and/or maycomprise a score line within at least one web 20, 40. Structural relief69 may be continuous or intermittent, as required or desired.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, when adhesively sealing opening 60 of flexiblecontainer 10 at closure area 62, cover strip 50 is removed, for exampleby peeling cover strip 50 from adhesive layer 68. As shown in FIG. 9, atop portion 12 of flexible container 10, above fold line 100, is foldedto contact a bottom portion 14 of flexible container 10, below fold line100. Preferably, to provide a tight leak-proof seal, flexible container10 is folded along fold line 100. Adhesive layer 68 provides aleak-proof seal about opening 60 in closure area 62. In one preferredembodiment of this invention as shown in FIG. 1, at least one structuralrelief 69, for example notched area 70 is formed in first web 20 and/orsecond web 40 by preferably, but not necessarily, removing or otherwiseeliminating, such as through a manufacturing process, a portion of atleast one layer 22, 24 of first web 20 and/or at least one layer 42, 44of web 40. Preferably, fold line 100 passes through notched area 70.Fold line 100 defines the longitudinal position of opening 60 withrespect to flexible container 10.

In one embodiment of this invention, when flexible container 10 isfolded about fold line 100, adhesive layer 68 folds over onto itself toform an adhesive-to-adhesive bond and/or folds over onto an outersurface of at least one layer 22, 24 of at least one first web 20 toform an adhesive-to-layer bond. In either case, because of the shapememory or bias force within the at least one layer 22, 24, at fold line100 the at least one layer 22, 24 has a tenancy to unfold or open flat.By applying more pressure to the at least one layer 22, 24 at fold line100, the adhesive-to-adhesive and/or the adhesive-to-layer bond strengthis increased. Providing one or more notched areas 70 at fold line 100allows more direct pressure applied at fold line 100 which enhances thebond strength provided by adhesive layer 68.

Further, top portion 12 may include a reference mark 83 and bottomportion 14 may include a reference mark 85 to assist in properly sealingflexible container 10. For example, reference mark 85 may comprise astar which is positionable within reference mark 83, comprising a box,when flexible container 10 is folded to properly register top portion 12and bottom portion 14 to seal flexible container 10. It is apparent thatreference marks 83, 85 can be any desirable mark which allowsregistration of top portion 12 with bottom portion 14 when flexiblecontainer 10 is folded to seal opening 60.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, in certain embodiments of this invention,flexible container 10 includes first web of material 20 and second webof material 40 sealed with respect to each other to form void 28 betweenwebs 20, 40. First web 20 and second web 40 are sealed about a peripheryof flexible container 10 using any suitable sealing process, such as aheat sealing process. Preferably, but not necessarily, each web 20, 40includes at least two layers of material. For example, in one embodimentof this invention, a first layer may include a polyester or nylonmaterial and a second layer may include a polyethylene material. Thefirst layer can be coextensive with the second layer, particularly aboutor along the heat seals.

First web 20 forms or includes opening 60 at or within closure area 62which can be defined by first web 20, for example to provide access tovoid 28. Opening 60 is positioned along and/or forms at least part offold line 100, which passes through closure area 62. Adhesive layer 68is applied to at least a portion of first web 20 adjacent two opposingsides 76, 78 of opening 60 at closure area 62. Any suitable adhesiveknown to those skilled in the art can be used to form adhesive layer 68,which provides a sufficiently strong adhesive seal to close opening 60.

Adhesive layer 68 can be applied to first web 20 before or after opening60 is formed in first web 20, in order to increase efficiency and/orreduce time and expense associated with the manufacturing process usedto make flexible container 10. For example, adhesive layer 68 may beapplied to first web 20 within closure area 62, and then opening 60 canbe formed through adhesive layer 68 and first web 20 within closure area62. Such manufacturing process may be time and/or cost efficient andresult in adhesive applied to first web 20 at, adjacent, near, next toand/or in the proximity of opposing sides 76, 78 of opening 60, as shownin FIG. 10. When it is desired to hermetically seal void 28, opening 60can be completely surrounded by adhesive layer 68. For example, adhesivecan be applied to first web 20 at, adjacent, near, next to and/or in theproximity of opposing sides 76, 78, and at, adjacent, near, next toand/or in the proximity of end portions 71, 73 of opening 60.Alternatively, opening 60 may be formed before adhesive layer 68 isapplied to first web 20 and within closure area 62. During such amanufacturing process, adhesive layer 68 can be applied at, adjacent,near, next to and/or in the proximity of opposing sides 76, 78 and/orend portions 71, 73 of opening 60.

Cover strip 50 can be applied to or positioned on adhesive layer 68,such that adhesive layer 68 is positioned between first web 20 and coverstrip 50. Cover strip 50 and adhesive layer 68 can form a pressuresensitive tape material, as is well known to those skilled in the art.The pressure sensitive material can be applied as a preformed materialor can be applied in one or more manufacturing steps as adhesive layer68 and cover strip 50.

With flexible container 10 in an unfolded condition, as shown in FIG.10, opening 60 is positioned within adhesive layer 68 which is appliedto first web 20 within closure area 62. Referring to FIG. 11, withflexible container 10 in a folded condition, a portion of each web 20,40 is folded with respect to opening 60 along fold line 100. In certainembodiments of this invention, a first portion 93 of adhesive layer 68on side 76 of opening 60 contacts a second portion 94 of adhesive layer68 on opposing side 78 of opening 60, as shown in FIG. 11. Thus, side 76forms an adhesive-to-adhesive contact with opposing side 78 to seal orclose opening 60. Preferably, the adhesive-to-adhesive contact extendsaround opening end portions 71, 73 to completely surround and sealopening 60 and thus hermetically seal void 28.

As shown in FIG. 10, flexible container 10 can include at least onenotched area 70 formed by, in or through at least one layer of first web20 and/or at least one layer of second web 40. In one preferredembodiment of this invention, two notched areas 70 are formed by, in orthrough each web 20, 40. As shown in FIG. 10, each notched area 70 canbe formed through each web 20, 40 such that a boundary of first web 20forming notched areas 70 is coextensive with a boundary of second web 40forming notched areas 70. A first notched area 70 is positioned orformed at and/or exposed to outer edge 13 of flexible container 10, anda second notched area 70 is positioned or formed at and/or exposed toouter edge 15 of flexible container 10.

As shown in FIG. 10, fold line 100 intersects with each notched area 70.In certain embodiments of this invention, webs 20, 40 are sealed withrespect to each other along seal 30 and notched areas 70 extend intoseal 30. For example, webs 20, 40 are preferably sealed with respect toeach other with a heat seal, and notched area 70 extends from outer edge13 or outer edge 15, respectively, into the heat seal. As shown in FIG.10, a first notched area 70 preferably extends at least partiallybetween outer edge 13 and a corresponding end portion 73 of opening 60.Similarly, a second notched area 70 can extend at least partiallybetween opposing outer edge 15 and corresponding end portion 71 ofopening 60.

In certain embodiments of this invention, adhesive layer 68 ispositioned within at least a portion of at least one notched area 70.Adhesive layer 68 can be positioned within one or both notched areas 70and may or may not extend to, and be coextensive with, respective outeredge 13 and/or outer edge 15 of flexible container 10, as shown in FIG.10. Adhesive layer 68 may be partially positioned within one notchedarea 70 or both notched areas 70 and may extend partially between aboundary of flexible container 10 forming notched area 70 and respectiveouter edge 13 and/or outer edge 15. Thus, an exposed portion 95 ofadhesive layer 68 may be positioned completely within one notched area70 or both notched areas 70 and/or may be partially positioned withinone notched area 70 or both notched areas 70, as desired. As shown inFIG. 10, adhesive layer 68 is positioned completely within each notchedarea 70 and extends to respective outer edge 13 or outer edge 15.

A material of adhesive layer 68, such as exposed portion 95 at leastpartially positioned within at least one notched area 70, can beremovable from adhesive layer 68, if desired. For example, exposedportion 95 covering notched areas 70, as shown in FIG. 10, can beremoved by using a suitable force to tear or separate exposed portion 95from adhesive layer 68, for example at or near a boundary of flexiblecontainer 10 forming or defining notched area 70. Exposed portion 95 mayor may not be covered with a material, such as a web material preferablythe same or similar to first web 20 and/or second web 40, a papermaterial, a powder material, and/or any other suitable material thatprevents undesirable contact with exposed portion 95.

Referring to FIG. 13, in certain embodiments of this invention, adhesivelayer 68 includes a polyester carrier layer or liner 140 and/or anysuitable carrier structure. Liner 140 may be applied to, positioned onor positioned within adhesive layer 68 to provide sufficient ordesirable support or structure to adhesive layer 68 and maintainadhesive layer 68 properly positioned with respect to first web 20.Liner 140 may be positioned within adhesive layer 68. Liner 140 may bepositioned between a first layer of adhesive 68 and a second layer ofadhesive 68, such as shown in FIG. 13. In one preferred embodiment ofthis invention, liner 140 has a thickness of about 0.5 mils. Liner 140may have any suitable thickness, greater than or less than 0.5 mils. Inaddition or alternatively, adhesive layer 68 may have a thickness ofabout 3-4 mils. With adhesive layer 68 having a thickness of about 3-4mils, depending upon the type of adhesive, it may not be necessary toinclude a carrier layer, such as liner 140, in adhesive layer 68.Adhesive layer 68 may have any suitable thickness, greater than or lessthan 3-4 mils.

In addition to the exposed adhesive portion positioned within notchedareas 70, or alternatively, cover strip 50 may cover at least a portionof each notched area 70. Cover strip 50 may completely cover one notchedarea 70 or both notched areas 70 and/or may partially cover one notchedarea 70 or both notched areas 70, as desired. In certain embodiments,cover strip 50 covers each notched area 70, which may or may not includeexposed portion 95 of adhesive layer 68, and extends to outer edges 13,15 of flexible container 10, as shown in FIG. 10. In other embodimentsof this invention, cover strip 50 may extend towards outer edge 13and/or outer edge 15 to cover only a portion of each respective notchedarea 70.

In certain embodiments of this invention, adhesive layer 68 and/or coverstrip 50 overlaps at least a portion of each notched area 70. The term“overlap” refers to a layered structure wherein notched areas 70 areformed in each web 20, 40 and thus can be considered coplanar with eachweb 20, 40, and adhesive layer 68 completely extends or partiallyextends across or overlaps each notched area 70 in a plane generallyparallel and adjacent to the plane of first web 20. An exposed portion95 of adhesive layer 68 and/or cover strip 50 may completely overlap onenotched area 70 or both notched areas 70 and/or may partially overlapone notched area 70 or both notched areas 70, as desired. Preferably,adhesive layer 68 and/or cover strip 50 overlaps each notched area 70and extends to outer edges 13, 15 of flexible container 10. In otherpreferred embodiments of this invention, adhesive layer 68 and/or coverstrip 50 may extend from first web 20 and overlap only a portion of eachnotched area 70.

As shown in FIG. 11, flexible container 10 preferably includes a thirdweb 80 sealed with respect to second web 40 to form a second void 96between third web 80 and second web 40. Third web 80 can be but need notbe coextensive with first web 20 and/or second web 40. Third web 80 mayinclude any suitable web material, including without limitation thematerials described above in reference to first web 20 and/or second web40. Third web 80 can form a second opening 98 that extends between or ispositioned between opposing outer edges 13, 15 of flexible container 10.Second opening 98 may or may not provide access to second void 96.Informative materials or documents including information regarding thematerial contained within void 28 of flexible container 10, such asdocuments or papers including a description of the contained material,an instruction sheet, a label and/or any other suitable object, documentor paper, may be positioned within second void 96 and preferably but notnecessarily viewable through the third web material.

In some embodiments of this invention, third web 80 can be used to forma reinforcement girdle or sleeve 105 positioned and/or sized toreinforce or provide support to flexible container 10. Reinforcementsleeve 105 can be positioned within at least a central area 106 offlexible container 10, as shown in FIG. 12. With flexible container 10at least partially filled with a pressurized fluid, material orsubstance, the internal pressure applies a force against webs 20, 40.Depending on the shape of void 28, the heat seals and/or the webmaterials along central area 106 maybe subjected to an increased and/ora maximum force or pressure. Reinforcement sleeve 105 may include acontinuous sheet of material that is positioned about flexible container10 and heat sealed with respect to each of first web 20 and second web40, for example along heat seal 30. Alternatively, reinforcement sleeve105 may include one or more reinforcement panels or sheets 115, 120 thatare on or positioned and/or sealed with respect to first web 20 and/orsecond web 40. Further, reinforcement sleeve 105 may be made of anysuitable material having sufficient or desirable structural strengthincluding, without limitation, the materials described above inreference to first web 20 and/or second web 40.

Reinforcement sleeve 105 preferably extends along a length of void 28 offlexible container 10. In certain embodiments of this invention, asshown in FIG. 12, with respect to first web 20 which has opening 60,reinforcement sleeve 105 extends between opening 60 and bottom edge 109of flexible container 10. With respect to second web 40 which has noopening 60, reinforcement sleeve 105 extends between top edge 107 andbottom edge 109 of flexible container 10. Reinforcement sleeve 105 canextend along only a portion of the length, along a vertical direction asshown in FIG. 12, of void 28 of flexible container 10, in order toreduce the amount of material required to make reinforcement sleeve 105and, therefore, to reduce the cost associated with producing ormanufacturing flexible container 10. Because relatively large pressureforces result along central area 106 that occupies about 60-70% of thelength of void 28 when flexible container 10 is in a closed or foldedcondition, reinforcement sleeve 105 can extend along 60-70% of thelength of void 28, when flexible container 10 is in a closed condition,such as shown in FIG. 11. Manufacturing and material costs can bereduced by extending reinforcement sleeve 105 along only a portion ofthe length of void 28, when flexible container 10 is in a closedcondition. Further, the thickness of first web 20 and/or the thicknessof second web 40 may be reduced, if desired, when flexible container 10includes reinforcement sleeve 105, thereby reducing the cost associatedwith producing or manufacturing flexible container 10.

In certain embodiments of this invention, as shown by phantom lines inFIG. 12, reinforcement sleeve 105 comprises a first panel 115 positionedand/or sealed with respect to first web 20 and a second panel 120, onthe reverse side as shown in FIG. 12, positioned and/or sealed withrespect to second web 40. First panel 115 and/or second panel 120 can besealed with respect to respective web 20, 40 using any suitable seal,such as heat seal 30 and/or secondary heat seal 130. Heat seal 30 and/or130 each preferably extends along opposing edges 116 and 117 of firstpanel 115. Additionally, heat seal 130 may extend along top edge 118and/or bottom edge 119 of first panel 115. Similarly, heat seal 30and/or 130 may extend along opposing edges 121 and 122 of second panel120. Additionally, heat seal 30 and/or 130 may extend along a top edgeand/or a bottom edge, with respect to the direction shown in FIG. 12, ofsecond panel 120.

First panel 115 and second panel 120 may be made of one continuous sheetof material or may be made of two separate or independent panels ofmaterial. First panel 115 can extend with respect to first web 20between opposing outer edges 13, 15 and at least partially along thelength of flexible container 10. As shown in FIG. 12, first panel 115extends along only a portion of the length of void 28, between bottomportion 110 of heat seal 30 and opening 60. Preferably, the bottom edgeof first panel 115 stops or terminates short of bottom portion 110 ofheat seal 30 and/or the top edge of first panel 115 stops or terminatesshort of opening 60. First panel 115 may extend to the bottom edge ofcover strip 50. Second panel 120 extends with respect to second web 40between opposing outer edges 13, 15 and at least partially along thelength of void 28 of flexible container 10.

FIG. 13 shows second panel 120 extending along about 60-70%, but couldbe more or less, of the length of void 28. In the view shown in FIG. 13,when flexible container 10 is pressurized or filled, void 28 can assumea shape having an overall elliptical or football-shaped cross section.

First panel 115 may be positioned and/or sealed with respect to anexterior surface of first web 20 or an interior surface of first web 20.Similarly, second panel 120 may be positioned with respect to anexterior surface of second web 40 or an interior surface of second web40.

While in the foregoing specification the invention has been described inrelation to certain preferred embodiments, and many details are setforth for purpose of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilledin the art that the invention is susceptible to additional embodimentsand that certain of the details described in the specification and inthe claims can be varied considerably without departing from the basicprinciples of the invention.

1. A flexible container comprising: two webs sealed with respect to eachother to form a void between said webs, a first web of said webs havinga closure area, said first web forming an opening within said closurearea, said opening positioned along a fold line passing through saidclosure area, with the flexible container in an unfolded condition saidopening positioned within a layer of adhesive applied to said first webwithin said closure area, two notched areas formed by each of said firstweb and said second web, each of said notched areas positioned at one oftwo opposing outer edges of the flexible container, said fold lineintersecting with said notched areas, and said layer of adhesivepositioned within at least a portion of each of said notched areas. 2.The flexible container according to claim 1 wherein each said web has atleast two layers.
 3. The flexible container according to claim 1 whereinat least a portion of said layer of adhesive positioned within at leasta portion of each said notched area is removable.
 4. The flexiblecontainer according to claim 3 wherein a web material covers saidportion of said layer of adhesive positioned within at least a portionof each said notched area.
 5. The flexible container according to claim3 wherein a powder material covers said portion of said layer ofadhesive positioned within at least a portion of each said notched area.6. The flexible container according to claim 1 wherein said layer ofadhesive extends to each of said opposing outer edges.
 7. The flexiblecontainer according to claim 1 further comprising: a third web sealedwith respect to said second web to form a second void between said thirdweb and said second web, said third web forming a second opening, andsaid second opening positioned between said opposing outer edges.
 8. Theflexible container according to claim 1 further comprising: a coverstrip applied to said layer of adhesive, wherein said layer of adhesiveis between said closure area of said first web and said cover strip. 9.The flexible container according to claim 1 wherein said webs are sealedabout a periphery of the flexible container.
 10. The flexible containeraccording to claim 1 further comprising a reinforcement sleevepositioned with respect to said first web and said second web, saidreinforcement sleeve extending between said opposing outer edges andextending at least partially along a length of said flexible container.11. A flexible container comprising: two webs sealed with respect toeach other to form a void between said webs, each said web having atleast two layers, a first web of said webs having a closure area, saidfirst web forming an opening within said closure area, said openingforming at least part of a fold line passing through said closure area,with the flexible container in an unfolded condition a layer of adhesiveapplied to said first web adjacent two opposing sides of said openingand within said closure area, said first web and said second web formingtwo notched areas, each of said notched areas positioned near one of twoopposing outer edges of the flexible container, said fold lineintersecting with said notched areas, and said layer of adhesivecovering each of said notched area.
 12. The flexible container accordingto claim 11 wherein said at least two layers comprise a first layer of apolyester or nylon material and a second layer of a polyethylenematerial.
 13. The flexible container of claim 11 wherein a first layerof said at least two layers is coextensive with a second layer of saidat least two layers.
 14. The flexible container according to claim 11wherein each of said notched areas extends at least partially between anouter edge of said opposing outer edges and a corresponding end portionof said opening.
 15. The flexible container according to claim 11wherein said webs are sealed with respect to each other with a heatseal, and each of said notched areas extends into said heat seal. 16.The flexible container according to claim 11 wherein a material of saidadhesive layer is removable at each of said notched areas.
 17. Theflexible container according to claim 11 wherein said layer of adhesivecomprises a polyester carrier layer positioned between a first layer ofadhesive and a second layer of adhesive.
 18. A flexible containercomprising: two webs sealed with respect to each other to form a voidbetween said webs, said first web having an opening within a closurearea, said opening positioned along a fold line passing through saidclosure area, with the flexible container in an unfolded condition alayer of adhesive applied to said first web within said closure areaadjacent two opposing sides of said opening, said first web and saidsecond web forming two notched areas each at one of two opposing outeredges of the flexible container, said fold line intersecting with saidnotched areas, and with the flexible container in a folded condition afirst portion of said adhesive layer on a first side of said twoopposing sides forming an adhesive-to-adhesive contact with a secondportion of said adhesive layer on a second side of said two opposingsides.
 19. The flexible container of claim 18 wherein said webs aresealed with respect to each other with a heat seal, and each of saidnotched areas extends from said one of two opposing outer edges intosaid heat seal to prevent tearing of the flexible container along thefold line.
 20. The flexible container according to claim 18 wherein eachof said notched areas extends at least partially between said one of twoopposing outer edges and a corresponding end portion of said opening.21. The flexible container according to claim 18 further comprising: afirst panel sealed with respect to said first web, said first panelextending between said opposing outer edges and extending between saidopening and a bottom seal portion of said flexible container; and asecond panel sealed with respect to said second web, said second panelextending between said opposing outer edges.
 22. The flexible containeraccording to claim 21 wherein the second panel is coterminous with saidfirst panel.
 23. A flexible container comprising: two webs sealed withrespect to each other to form a void between said webs, a first web ofsaid webs having a closure area, said first web forming an openingwithin said closure area, said opening positioned along a fold linepassing through said closure area, with the flexible container in anunfolded condition a layer of adhesive applied to said first web withinsaid closure area and surrounding said opening; and a first panelextending between opposing outer edges of said flexible container andextending along a portion of a length of said void when said flexiblecontainer is in a folded condition.
 24. The flexible container accordingto claim 23 further comprising a second panel extending between opposingouter edges of said flexible container and extending along a secondportion of said length of said void.
 25. The flexible containeraccording to claim 23 wherein said first panel extends between saidopening and a bottom seal portion of said container.
 26. The flexiblecontainer according to claim 25 wherein a bottom edge of said firstpanel terminates short of said bottom seal portion.
 27. The flexiblecontainer according to claim 25 wherein a top edge of said first panelterminates short of said opening.
 28. The flexible container accordingto claim 23 wherein said first panel is sealed to one of said first weband said second web at each of said opposing outer edges.
 29. Theflexible container according to claim 23 wherein said first panel ispositioned adjacent at least one of an interior surface and an exteriorsurface of at least one of said first web and said second web.
 30. Theflexible container according to claim 23 further comprising two notchedareas formed by each of said first web and said second web, each of saidnotched areas positioned at one of said opposing outer edges, said foldline intersecting with said notched areas, and said layer of adhesivepositioned within at least a portion of each of said notched areas.